Lifestyle

- Sandra Hosking Photo.

Calendar of events

The Spokane-Coeur d'Alene region offers year-round entertainment, from summer arts fairs to winter carnivals.

From spring to fall, fresh food and crafts can be found at various farmers markets in Spokane, Millwood, Cheney, Liberty Lake, and elsewhere.

Also, Greenbluff growers offer fresh produce and more, from June's strawberry festival to the fall harvest festival. A collection of 43 farms provide a unique country experience.

Spokane-area venues offer year-round entertainment, including the Spokane Symphony, Spokane Civic Theatre, Interplayers, the Bing Crosby Theatre, the Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena, Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox, INB Performing Arts Center, and more.

Experience art at downtown Spokane's First Friday, on the first Friday evening of each month. Art Walk is held the second Friday of each month in downtown Coeur d'Alene.

In September and October, the North Pend Oreille Valley Lions Club offers train rides to view stunning fall colors north of Spokane, near Ione.

Throughout the year many nonprofit organizations host galas and other events to build awareness and raise money in support of important causes.

The following are some of the region's can't-miss events:

January through March

• March through downtown Spokane on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
• Spokane International Film Festival.
• International Auto Show.
• Northwest Bach Festival.
• Temple Beth Shalom's Kosher Dinner.

April and May

• Get Lit!, the Inland Northwest's festival for readers and writers.
• Spokane Lilac Festival, including the Torchlight Parade through downtown.
• Bloomsday, one of the world's largest timed road races is held the first Sunday in May. The race draws more than 50,000 runners from around the world.
• Mother's Day Historic House Tour.
• Coeur d'Alene Marathon.
• Battle of Spokane Falls Civil War reenactment at Riverside State Park.

June through August

• ArtFest. Artists and crafters fill Coeur d'Alene Park in Browne's Addition.
• Arbor Crest Wine Cellars hosts concerts for adults at its picturesque grounds each Sunday evening.
• Coeur d'Alene Summer Theatre.
• The Farm Chicks Antique Show.
• Spokane in Bloom Garden Tour.
• Hoopfest. The world's largest 3-on-3 street basketball tournament draws nearly 28,000 players and 3,000 volunteers.
• Ironman Coeur d'Alene.
• Rosauers Open Invitational. The Pacific Northwest section of the PGA presents this annual pro-am golf tournament.
• Royal Fireworks Concert. This Baroque-period arts festival in Riverfront Park features music performed by Allegro.
• Spokane Highland Games.
• Art on the Green, North Idaho College's campus. The event is complemented by the annual downtown street fair and Taste of the Coeur d'Alene's, a food and music fair in City Park.
• Unity in the Community, an annual celebration of diversity with entertainment and booths representing a variety of cultures.
• Festival at Sandpoint, a summer concert series featuring well-known musicians.
• North Idaho Fair at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds.
• Wooden Boat Show at the Coeur d'Alene Resort boardwalk.
• Garland Street Fair.

September through November

• Pig Out in the Park.
• SpokeFest, an annual celebration of cycling.
• Spokane County Interstate Fair.
• ValleyFest, Spokane Valley's premier celebration.
• The Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church's Greek Dinner Festival.
• Inland Crafts, an annual sale and exhibition of fine contemporary crafts.

Holiday Season

• Coeur d'Alene Resort's holiday light display, featuring more than 1.5 million lights.
• Christmas Tree Elegance. In the Davenport Hotel and the Festival of Trees in Coeur d'Alene.
• Holiday Heritage Historic Home Tour.
• The Spokane Symphony presents the magical holiday ballet, “The Nutcracker,” at the Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox.
• “The Messiah” sing-along at First Presbyterian Church.
• Campbell House Holidays.

New Year's Eve

• First Night Spokane. Bonfires, torches, and performers enchant downtown Spokane during this New Year's celebration for all ages.

For more information on events held throughout the region, visit www.visitspokane.com. For sporting events, visit www.spokanesports.org.